For the baby with sensitive skin there are also wool and polar fleece diaper covers. These too may be contoured shaped with snap or velcro fasteners. Others come in “boxer-like” shape. Some prefer these covers for night-time use because they breathe.

Doublers 
This term is often used interchangeably with liners perhaps because they do overlap from time to time. Doublers are thick rectangular pads that can be inserted between your baby’s bottom and the diaper to provide extra absorbency. These are great for heavy wetters or for night-time use.

Fitted Diapers 
Fitted diapers resemble disposable diapers. They have a contoured shape and have gathered edges around the legs. Instead of tape, they are fastened with either velcro or snaps. A waterproof diaper cover is necessary when using fitted. See AIO.

Fitted diapers are more expensive than pre-folds ranging from $4 to $11 each. However they are much easier to use. If you purchase those with velcro closures, look for wide velcro strips.

Flat or Square Diapers 
Flat diapers refer to the single-ply square shaped diapers that resemble the diapers our mothers and grandmothers used. The types that you find in a store are not effective for use as cloth diapers but they make great liners, burp rags or cleaning rags.

Hemp 
Hemp is a course fiber made from the inner bark of the hemp plant. It is becoming increasingly popular for use in diapers because of its durability, absorbency and natural anti-microbial properties. If you are undecided as to which fabric to choose for your diapers, be sure to readIs Hemp Really Better Than Cotton? by Krista of BabyKicks.

Liners
Liners are thin material used between a baby’s bottom and the diaper itself. Most liners are used to keep stool away from diapers for easy clean up. Many cloth diaper businesses carry flushable biodegradable liners which are the perect fit for this purchase. As an alternative you can use flat diapers to keep costs down and still keep natural soft fabrics against your baby’s skin.

Another type of liner which is fast becoming popular is the polar fleece one. These are thicker than their paper/flat sheet counterparts and are great for keeping the baby’s bottom dry. Read up on polar fleece for details.

Polar Fleece
Fleece’s ability to wick moisture away from the skin makes it a great fabric for covers. Also, since fleece has the ability to allow a jet of water (such as pee) shoot through it and not penetrate back, it works as a wonderful stay dry liner. Fleece liners are great for night-time wear. Some do not like fleece liners because it is a synthetic material (read Artificial Materials and Cloth Diapering). Still others love it and it is fast becoming a popular fabric for soakers since it can be easily thrown in the washer or dryer or can be hung dry.

Pre-folds
Pre-fold diapers are rectangular shaped diapers that are divided lengthwise in 3 sections. The outer sections usually have a thickness of 4 layers. The middle section can have 6 or 8 layers. This gives pre-folds absorbency where it is needed most, in the middle. You will often see prefolds defined as 4-6-4, 4-8-4 or more rarely 2-4-2. These numbers refer to the layers of cloth in each section from left to right. Pre-folds are the cheapest alternative in diapers. They can be enclosed in a velcro or snap fastened diaper or they can be pinned with safety pins or snappi fasteners.

Pocket Diapers
Pocket diapers are the newest type of diapers to hit the cloth diapering world. The first pocket diaper, Fuzzi Bunz created by Tereson of Mother of Eden in 1998. Pocket diapers are two piece diapering system typically with a piece of fleece that makes up the inner portion of fabric and a waterproof layer that makes up the outermost portion. An absorbent material is placed inside of the two pieces making the whole system act as an all in one system that keeps babies dry.

Sherpa 
(Excerpt from Sherpa-Soft as a Cloud) Sherpa Terry is knit terry fabric, just like a baby towel, that has been brushed and washed to raise the fibers and give a fluffy super soft feel. Many loops of the terry remain, and absorbency is not compromised. Generally the Sherpa Terry that is used in diapers has a high cotton content, and a small polyester content. Sherpa terry that is 75% cotton and 25% polyester, to 80% cotton and 20% polyester is most commonly used in diapers. The cotton content is found in the loops of the fabric, while the polyester content is found in the backing and lends durability to the finished product.

Snap-to-Fit Diapers 
Snap to fit diapers are fitted diapers with added snaps to provide a flexible fit for babies and toddlers. The snaps are located just below the fasteners with tops and bottoms lined up vertically. This allows you to adjust the size of a diaper as the baby grows.

This feature of fitted diapers allows you to purchase fewer sizes than the regular fitted diapers. While the regulars may come in 4 different sizes, Snap-to-fits come in two. You will only have to buy half as many diapers.

Soakers 
The term soaker is used for two different things. First, this word refers to the middle layer of the diaper. Often this layer is made of a different fabric than the rest of the diaper, one that is more absorbent. The term soaker is also use in reference to wool or polar fleece diaper covers. Unlike other diaper covers, wool and polar fleece are water resistant, rather than waterproof. They do allow some wetness to wick through from the diaper but still manage to keep babies’ clothes dry.

Wool 
Wool is a fabric made of fleece of sheep or lamb. Its water repelling properties and breathability are what make it popular for use as a diaper cover. Most cloth diaperers save their wool covers for night-time use since it is bulkier than their vinyl or polyester counterparts. Many choose wool because it is natural (see Artificial Materials and Cloth Diapering and Why Use Wool for Diaper Covers.). Take special care when washing and drying your wool products or they will dry out and become stiff. Read How to Care for Wool for tips on wool care.